George Washington 1789-1797, From Virginia

Challenges Structure of Executive Branch – Response: created presidential cabinet No executive branch under the Articles of Confederation! Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War: Henry Knox Attorney General: Edmund Randolph

Challenges Role and structure of Judicial Branch No federal court system under the Articles of Confederation! Response: Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789. Created a federal court system; Washington chose John Jay as chief justice.

Challenges Unstable economic system. Many states still had war debt. (mostly northern) Federal government had little credit to borrow money. Taxation: the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania. Farmers refused to pay government tax on whiskey. Washington led federal troops himself to put down the rebellion. Proved the federal government would collect taxes and enforce its laws. Foreign Conflicts: France and Britain are at war. Americans are divided about which nation to support. Washington declares the U.S. will remain neutral and have no alliances.

Contributions Civic Virtue and Leadership Qualities Came out of retirement to be president. Transfer of Power Constitution places no term limits on the president. He chose not to run for a third term. Set precedent for future presidents to limit their terms.

Friday! January 6th 2017. Pick up your spirals/folders, take out a pen/pencil, your bellwork and the reading questions from yesterday. We will grade the questions, take notes, and then watch videos. Bellwork: What do the following words mean? Import Export Foreign Domestic Tariff

Political Parties Loose vs Strict Issues During Washington’s presidency two opposing views arose on many issues. Parties: Democratic-Republicans and Federalists Leaders: Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton Issues The interpretation of the Constitution The role of the federal government The nation’s economy America’s relations with Revolutionary France and Monarchical Britain Loose vs Strict OR

Hamilton’s Economic Plan Create a national bank with a single currency. Pay off state’s war debt to build credibility Collect revenue with taxes and tariffs

Opposition Congress has no power to establish a national bank. Most southern states had already paid their war debt. A national bank favors northern merchants and manufacturers. Compromise Jefferson and Madison agree to support the establishment of the national bank. The nation’s capital, Washington D.C., will be located in the South. No tariff would be passed. (only helps northern states at expense of southern)

Federalists John Adams & Alexander Hamilton Strong central government Loose interpretation (elastic clause) Favored a National Bank Economy based on industry Close ties with England New England

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Weak central gov’t – more state power Strict interpretation Opposed national bank (would favor the rich) Economy based on agriculture Close ties with France South and West James Madison

Farewell Address Avoid problems of other countries (neutral) Political parties are dangerous Don’t let regional differences divide nation